Engineering professor receives national educator award

Anthony “Tony” Brizendine, a faculty member in the Lee College of Engineering, received the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) 2016 National Educator of the Year Award.

According to CMAA President and CEO Bruce D’Agostino, the association bestows its Educator of the Year Award on a construction faculty member as acknowledgement of exceptional accomplishments as advisors, educators and mentors of students who plan professional careers in construction management.

D’Agostino noted, “Brizendine has long been among the most productive researchers in the field …. with particular emphasis on continuous improvement and outcomes assessment. He has been a strong proponent of diversity in engineering and has been very active in the ABET accreditation program, acting as a commissioner, program evaluator, and evaluation team leader and as leader of a CM program.”

He added, “Your leadership and work in advancing ABET accreditation for Construction Management Programs is also having an impact on the number and quality of future professional construction managers. Your ability to provide examples of real-life experiences to your students has helped to inspire them and encourage them to emulate your professionalism.”

Brizendine has been recognized with many awards during his academic career, including the William Boram Award for Teaching Excellence, the Excellence in Academic Advising Award, Outstanding Faculty Achievement Award, West Virginia Young Civil Engineer of the Year Award and West Virginia University Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Award for Excellence in Teaching.

He has been involved with engineering accreditation activities nationally for more than two decades, serving as a program evaluator, team chair and commissioner for multiple ABET commissions.

Brizendine, who is completing his 15th year as chair of the Engineering Technology and Construction Management Department at UNC Charlotte, received the CMAA National Educator of the Year Award at the association’s 2016 national conference in San Diego.

Photo: Tony Brizendine, right, accepts the 2016 CMAA National Educator of the Year Award from Bruce D’Agostino, CMAA president and CEO.

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